Zak POV.

"Are you out of your god damn mind?! Do I need to ring a doctor?!" Bacon cries as I walk out the guest bedroom.

"I'm perfectly within my mind, and I'll thank you not to question my sanity again."

"No, I have to! Because you're inviting a complete stranger into your home, to stay. But not just any stranger, a fucking hooker!"

I spin "Don't!" I point. "Don't you dare say those words."

His eyes widen "It's the truth! Does Aaron know? Billy even? I mean, he's here the majority of the time!"

"I bought the house, it's in my name and if anyone has a problem, they can leave... Even you." I reply.

I glance at my watch as the nerves crawl up my spine. She's late.

Maybe she's stuck in traffic? Or still packing? Overslept? She's probably overslept. She worked last night...

I almost begin to imagine waking up beside her, when Bacon's voice ruins it.

"This is insane. Absolutely crazy. And what is your mom going to say when she pops over? How will you introduce Leah, if that's her real name! Will you tell your mom you're paying for her? For sex? Dude, you're a good looking guy and I've ferried women in and out of here. So it's not like you can't get women and I'll keep doing it to because I'm your assistant. But do you really have to pay her to spend time with you? And yes I've noticed the stack of money sat on the side. What the hell bro! Why isn't that in a bank?"

I sigh and rub my temples at the impending headache that's started up in the base of my skull, I'm labelling but the Bacon headache because it's his stress that's caused it. "Look dawg. I know you mean well, but I can handle myself and her short 5,3 ass. Okay? I can't explain what's happening between me and Leah, I just know that I need her around sometimes."

"But is it the same Zak? You're paying her to be at your side. Would she have done it for free? Honestly? Because I'm gonna say no. The money is making her do this and whatever you think is happening between yourself and Leah, probably isn't."

"You're wrong."

"Am I? Because you don't seem quiet so convinced as you did 5 minutes ago." He answers.

I glance at my watch again. 11am. Two hours late.

He sighs harshly "Look bro, I'm trying to look out for you. I know you don't need it, but that's what friends do.."

I see his concern and I do note it. But he didn't know the half of what myself and Leah had done or been doing. He didn't know that I went to her nearly every night for the past 6 months, except for one month. When I finally snapped, I tried to walk away.. I went back within a month. Tail between my legs.

Of course I understand Bacon's apprehension. But it's also unnecessary. I'm a grown adult, as Leah is too. We both understand each other's requirements and the only reason I offered money was because she had bills to pay like everyone else. I had a month, a month to get her on track, away from that club and on the right path in life.

I didn't want to open a paper in two months time and see an obituary for her, and hear how she fell into drugs and prostitution, how she died at the hands of them. No. The idea physically pained me...

Bacon followed me into the kitchen where I pushed the money into an envelope. The whole scene looked dodgy. As if I was some money launderer but I earned this.

"How much are you paying her?" He asks sounding defeated.

"Ten."

He shakes his head and takes a seat on the bar stool. "Seriously man.. I'm begging you. Just ring her, cancel this shit and out it to bed."

"No."

"Bro you have to! No good is going to come of this."

"I can't, I don't have her number."

"Jesus shit.. Please don't tell me that the only way you communicate is through the club?" He asks making me blink. "Oh come on man! You could get... What if she has some pimp? You think he's gonna let her ass go for free?! Dude I'm gonna come in one day and you're gonna be chopped up! You're stealing some pimps girl! They don't take too kindly to that shit!"

"How would you know?" I laugh.

"Because I see it on TV! It's not all fake!"

I roll my eyes "Just chill out man. I got this."

"No, you have not got this. At all!"

"I trust her.." I say calmly and almost watch Bacon's head explode.

"Trust her?! HOW?! She's a prostitute!!"

"She's not."

"Lap dancer! Hooker! Cheap tart! Which one?!"

"Bacon.. I won't warn you again. Look man, you see the shit I get online. You know how the women turn. They know the gig before they even show up. It's a quick bit of fun. They get butt hurt and suddenly I'm being dragged. I haven't had anything like that from Leah. She's respectful and she knows that shit has to be on the down low. Plus it's not all about sex. You know, I have been doing this for a lot longer than a few weeks. Not one thing has been said from her mouth to anyone. Because I've planted shit, to test her. Guess what? She passed."

"So she hasn't said anything... Yet. Have you got a contract for her to sign? A disclosure?" He pushes.

Pain shoots through my skull "Damn dude! Just stop."

"No. I can't. I won't. Because I won't see your hard work get pissed down the drain for a two bit fucking hooker."

I slammed my hand down on the counter. "Enough!"

He took a hard breath as I stared at him "I'm trying to be your friend. Not your employee.."

"I know. But you don't know us.. She's good for me Bacon. I know she is but she just needs a little help being on the right side of the grass. Don't tar her with a brush before you've even sat down with her. There's more than meets the eye." I explain.

"Whatever man. Be it your funeral." He grabs his keys making my shoulders sag.

"Don't be like that."

"I got shit to do that doesn't involve being a part of this fuckery. I'll be your assistant but don't expect me to be her chauffeur or lapdog. I work for you."

"Fine." I reply as we reach the front door. "And in return, I ask that you show her some respect because she's not a bad person. She won't bring trouble to my door man."

Bacon pulls open the door and pauses making my eyes move off him to the smaller figure outside the door. Dressed in a pair of worn jeans and a small top, Leah shifts on her feet. Her suitcase sat beside her on the ground. But that wasn't what flared my insides to a painful level.

It was the black eye she was supporting and the cut to her eyebrow.

"No trouble right?" Bacon mocked before pushing his way out and storming away from the house.

I stepped out and reached out, touching the purpled skin beside her eye causing a gentle wince. My thumb traced the edges.

Someone had hurt her and I wanted that fucker impaled on a stick and outside my house as a warning.

Then she said three words that calmed the anger in my soul to a gentle hum.

"Sorry, I'm late."